Trump drops 25% Iran trade tariff bomb, shockwaves hit China, India & UAE, Australia in green barely affected with sheep and wheat icons

Trump’s Iran Tariff Shockwave: Aussie Exports in the Crosshairs – But the Damage Looks Minimal

US President Donald Trump has dropped a bombshell on global trade, announcing an immediate 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran – a direct jab at Tehran’s brutal crackdown on massive anti-government protests that have left hundreds dead. Announced on Truth Social on 12 January 2026 as “effective immediately” and “final and conclusive,”…

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A US Navy vessel intercepts a large oil tanker at sea under dramatic skies, with Venezuelan and Russian flags visible in the background, symbolising geopolitical tension over energy resources.

The Oil Storm: US Raid, Tanker Seizures and the Shockwaves from Maduro’s Capture

In the space of five days, Washington escalated its confrontation with Caracas from sanctions enforcement to a kinetic operation that, according to multiple major outlets, culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the seizure of two oil tankers operating within what US officials describe as a sanctions-busting “shadow fleet”. The moves have…

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Line chart showing Victoria's net state debt rising from approximately $155 billion in 2025 to $194 billion by 2028–29, with GSP ratio peaking at 25.2%

Victorian Tax Vortex: A Multi-Dimensional Spiral Through Fiscal Fury

Published: 1 January 2026 As Victorians usher in 2026 today, the state finds itself ensnared in a fiscal maelstrom, with the Labor government’s rollout of 21 new or increased fees, taxes, and charges taking effect amid soaring debt and unrelenting cost-of-living pressures. This analysis, drawn from a broad spectrum of Australian media outlets, government documents,…

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An Australian adult sitting in a medical waiting room, illustrating the emotional impact of weight stigma and barriers to healthcare access.

The Stigma Spiral – Unwinding Australia’s Weight Crisis

Published: 30 December 2025 In a nation where two in three adults grapple with excess weight, a hidden epidemic lurks: the shame that silences sufferers and stalls solutions. A groundbreaking December 2025 study reveals that internalised weight stigma affects about two-thirds of overweight Australians, fuelling a cycle of distress and deterred healthcare. As the government…

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